The Scouting Guru makes peace offering, then talks SGV Football as only he can …….

The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he’s offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don’t hate, enjoy it for what it’s worth, which is one man’s opinion on the talent and teams in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas.

Scouting Guru says: Ah yes. The 2009 football season has finally arrived. After the countless amount of hours of time spend in the weight room, after running hills and laps like crazy, after going through a grueling fall camp (that had to be shorten a bit because of the fires), for the players – the season couldn’t have arrived at a better time. And with it comes dreams of playing for a CIF title or landing that coveted D-1 scholarship offer.


As for the coaches, I’m sure they are happy the season has finally arrived too. For them, the off-season allows them to go to coaching clinics (or visiting college coaching staffs trying to pry that next great scheme), coaching in countless seven on seven passing league tournaments, going to weight lifting competitions; and yet as the season starts on Thursday or Friday night for some, they still have no idea how the season is going to unfold.

And if you ask every coach – they’ll tell you the same thing; “That’s why we love the game. We can’t wait until some of the questions are answered.”

I have always said that there are two days that you wanted to be on campus during the high school football season; Opening day and (if the school is fortunate enough), CIF Championship day. It is the two days where the energy on campus in contagious. On opening day, there is a sense of anticipation. There are many (coaches, players, administrators, fans) that hope that this is their year. Many are hoping that this is the year where there team performs exceptionally well. They all ask the same questions – ” Who’s going to be the one player that is going to sparkle on Friday?” ” Will it be our quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive lineman etc.?” Many coaches will look at the schedule and the opposition schedule, much like that a handicapper looking at the Racing Form, trying to plot out their best case scenario’s that can lead their team to a possible league and/or CIF championship.

For the San Gabriel Valley fans, I have a deal for you. For the last couple of years, our service has been a little harsh on the area. We love the IE…always have – always will. But with the influx of some talent in the area for the class of 2011, we wanted to make a bit of a reconciliation. Even though the class of 2010 has decent talent, we love the class of 2011. And then there is the class of 2012 that will most definitely see at least one quarterback – if not two – getting a D-1 scholarship.

So as the season gets kicked off on Thursday night; let’s make a deal. Let’s start fresh. When you see me at the games, come over and say hi. If you have been harsh to the ol’ scout in the past, let’s start over again. I hold no grudges. I love to talk football. Whether it’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon or 3’oclock in the morning.

I know that many of you are reading this after picking your copy of the football preview issue. Kudos goes out to fearsome twosome of Robledo and Ramirez for doing a great job. They may not be Phil Steele; but they know their football. I know that many of you went to your breakfast establishments this morning and debated Robledo’s top 10. And that is great. That means that you take your football seriously. Now, I don’t want to hear that some of you are developing fantasy HS leagues. That’s when you know that HS football is getting a little out of hand (geez, some HS coaches don’t even know who is going to start at QB as of today).

But, Friday nights are back and with the economy the way that it is … there isn’t a better way to spend a Friday night than to go to a football game. And there’s a ton of options to choose from.

Here are some of the top choices…

Bishop Amat – If you have not been to a Amat game; you owe it to yourself to make a game. Sometimes the sideshow – where the food stands are at – is better than the game. And if you do go to an Amat game; don’t go to dinner before the game. You have the In-N-Out Truck there and (if that’s not good enough) more food choices that you can think of. And if you happen to sit in the end zone at Keifer; it’s a great experience. BTW, if you happen to run into baseball coach Any Nieto in the food area; introduce yourself to him and tell him that “The Guru” sent you. He’ll get a kick out of it.

Charter Oak – Charger fans have a reputation of being one of the more savvy crowds in the area. They sure know their CO football and to say that it’s a bit of a cult is an understatement. But, you go to CO to watch quality football and that is what you get with HC Lou Farrar and the rest of the coaching staff. Well worth the price of admission for the evening.

Glendora – Yeah – I know that you have to go to Citrus College. But, we love the passion of the Glendora fans. They are really faithful to their Tartans and they show it on Friday night. They have one of the better snack bars in the area and their attendance at the home games are always high. Again, HC Mark Pasquella does a great job year in and out in producing a great product. Plus, you can’t argue with the sight lines at Citrus College. Great venue!

South Hills – Ok, I can hear some of you …”there he goes -talking about South Hills again.” Well, I guess I can’t make everyone happy. Now, I’ve never been to a SH game as a fan. I’ve been there as a coach and scout and I just love the atmosphere on Friday night at a SH game. One thing that I like are the many alumni that return to watch the Huskies play on Friday night. Plus a great fan base. Here is a quick story for you. As I was making my way into District Field for the quarterfinal game last year against Diamond Ranch, I ran into a couple that were wearing their SH gear that seemed to be veteran SH fans. I struck up a quick conversation and it turned out they have been going to SH games since 1970. They recalled the CIF championship game in 1974 as if it was yesterday. That’s why you gotta love HS football. You will always find these types of people at your favorite HS of choice. BTW, is there a better place to watch a game than CDF? With no track, you are literally right on top of the action.

I have not been to a Damien home game, but that will change this year. We can’t let a year go by without checking out at least one Damien game.

Those are just some of the schools. We could go on and on – but here is the point. Instead of being lazy and sitting at your computer getting scores, get out to a game. Get that hamburger and soda and watch high school football at its purest. There are no players playing for contracts, or draft positions, they are a few that are playing for a chance to play at the D-1 level after their HS careers are over. For most of the players that you see on the field – they are playing for the love the game. And the coaches are coaching for one reason – for the love the game. Just remember that the next time you get angry with Hagerty or Maggoire or Farrar or Gano. Most of the coaches that these guys are hiring are not getting rich at this job. They are doing it for the love of the game.

And isn’t that the best reason to go out and watch a Friday night game? For most of you it should be simple; you are there for the love of the game.

10 Things That I Think I Think

1) I think that these are the 10 best college prospects in the East SGV regardless of graduation class.

1. Dennis Rufus (CB, Charter Oak, Class of 2011)

2. Sioasi Aiono (OL, South Hills, Class of 2011)

3. Wallace Gonzales (WR, Glendora, Class of 2011)

4. Adam Muema (RB, Charter Oak, Class of 2010)

5. Jordan Canada (RB, South Hills, Class of 2010)

6. Ify Umodu (WR, South Hilis, Class of 2010)

7. Jacoby Carter (CB, Diamond Ranch, Class of 2011)

8. A.J. Powell (FS, Charter Oak, Class of 2010)

9. Darian Johnson (CB, Bishop Amat, Class of 2010)

10. Keith Smith (LB, Charter Oak, Class of 2010)

It was tough to put this list together. Left out on the list were excellent players like Geoffrey Vaughns, Leonard Rhodes, Ricky Johnson, Peter Nonu, Chad Jefferies. But, this list can certainly change with film coming into our service as the season gets underway. If this were an NFL draft board, this is how we would have it as of today.

2) I think that if you were to look at our list, you would see why we are excited about the class of 2011. You have one of the fastest players in Rufus. Aiono has two offers as we speak. Gonzales was a first-team All-CIF pick and has a huge upside. Jacoby Carter really impressed us at the national underclassman combine in the spring. And look for B.J. Lee from West Covina to get some attention at the end of the season. Insiders at WC have told us that he is clearly the fastest player on the team.

3) I think that this is my take on the elite football leagues in the East SGV…

a) Miramonte – Barring any unforeseen developments, Charter Oak should take the top spot with little problem at all. The only thing that might stumble them is if they get hurt at key positions after their there brutal three week stretch against Rancho Cucamonga, Damien and Etiwanda. And let me warn you CO fans, if you think Etiwanda is going to be a pushover you are deftly wrong. They have four legitimate D-1 college football prospects on their roster this year.

b) Sierra – We have no idea who is going to win this league. Chino Hills looked very good from a skills and lineman point of view. Glendora – as we all have read this summer – looks extremely solid. BTW, they have one of the better sleepers in the area in Andre Holmes. Don’t fall asleep on this kid. He is good! Ayala is going to be very young but they have a solid QB in Orange Lutheran transfer Ryan Orozco. You can bet your bottom dollar that Gano will have Damien somewhere in the mix. Just don’t have a feel for who is going to win the league.

c) San Antonio – Plenty of reason to think South Hills will win it again. They have the skill guys, the lineman and the coaching to make it happen. West Covina can certainly be in the picture if Ricky Johnson plays to his potential – like he did his sophomore year. The quarterback position is the major concern for WC. Rowland would seem like a trendy pick, but the loss of Brandon Stansell and B.J. Oyefoso, who is quarterback Michael Ball going to throw the ball too? But the Raiders have the best college D-1 Special Teams prospect in Henry Calistro. The kid is money…bottom line.

d) Serra – As I’ve stated earlier this year, the Serra league is brutally tough. If you don’t have the horses, you’re going to get beat. Last year, Amat had four D-1 prospects in the secondary. And they did a great job. Now, that they are gone, who’s going to replace them? And when you’re in a Division that has the Gatorade Player of the Year returning (Ryan Kasdorf, SO Notre Dame); one of the best running backs in the state returning (Anthony Barr, Loyola) and one of the better overall teams in the So Cal with Crespi – it’s hard to envision the Lancers coming away with one win in the league., But, they did beat Crespi last year and held their own with Loyola for the majority of the game, so there is hope…I just wish that Brent Seals was back on the team. Tough to see the Lancers in the playoffs.

4. I think that I always find a little bit of humility when the pre-season CIF polls come out. I mean this is worse than the Harris poll for College Football. To the guys voting each week in the polls, DUE YOUR HOMEWORK!!!! PLEASE.

5. I think that when it comes to good guys – you can’t beat the threesome of Bogan, Farrar and Gano. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bogan in the past and quite simply – he is our area football version of the late Don Hewitt (founder of 60 Minutes). Just watch him in action during the practice and you can see why the analogy is made. He’s tough, smart, prone to losing his temper once in a while (and then he’d bring it back with the same charisma that he’s always had) and one of the best people you’ll ever meet. And – I’ve met some smart people in the past – this is the smartest person that I’ve been around. You will lose to him if you argue politics. Trust me! Farrar has seen it all in his days at Charter Oak. As he begins another football season on Friday night, be brings a sense of loyalty to his football program and his staff. It’s taken a lot of time to get CO where they are; and Farrar is the one man responsible for it. When you think of CO football, “Big Lou” is the first person to come to mind. Gano has been there – done that. He took the absolutely toughest job in the world (being the HC at Los Altos after Dwayne Despain retired) and kept the program at the highest level in Southern California period. If the blog had been in existence back he first started coaching; the pressure might have been drove him over the wall. But, Los Altos thrived under Gano and now comes this latest reincarnation project – reestablishing Damien as one of the elite programs in the area. And when it comes to great guys – it simply doesn’t get any better than Gano. I’ve had the occasion of having dinner with him and Bogan and he has a personality that is timeless. I can see why players love playing for him. Oops, let me rephrase that – I can see why players love playing Bogan, Farrar and Gano. They are the best!

6) I think that I am rooting for my good friend John Martin to have a successful season at Diamond Bar. He’s got it tough right now, but he is one of the hardest working guys in the area and he does know his football. Keep giving him the support DB fans. You will be rewarded in due time.

7) I think that if I had a chance, I wish I can go into a time machine and go back to the old days at the Tribune. I had the pleasure of doing some work for the Tribune in 2000 and 2001 at the prep sports desk. The internet had just started to boom and I felt that I needed to get back into the swing of things in the area. Those days in the office were the best. First we had Steve Ramirez as the prep editor and let me tell you something – Steve knows the area better than anyone. Instant credibility in my eyes is associated with Ramirez. Then there were two guys that worked the phones in the office taking scores in for the scoreboard page; Miguel Melendez (now the czar of the Pasadena area) and yours truly. Then Fred Robledo would come in and do all his work (soccer and preps). Not to mention that we had one of the great guys you’d ever want to me in the late Frank Welch. I still miss Frank these days. And then there was THE GUY. The one guy that held us to a high standard when we wrote stories; and when he told you that you wrote a good story- it made you feel great… Gabe Lacques. Gabe is now working for USA Today – but he quite simply was the best sports writer in Southern California bar none. I miss talking to Gabe these days – he kept things in line. It was fun times in those days. And believe me when I tell you – we solved all the problems in the prep sports world. The competition was fierce for covering the best games; but we felt that we produced a pretty darn good product. I’d do anything to go back to those days at the Trib…they were the best!

8) I think that we’d all like to see CO and SH end up in the finals in Decemeber. But , I have the small feeling that’s not going to happen. Someone will stumble along the way – I just can’t figure out who the team is going to be.

9) I think that Twitter will change the way that we get scores for game in the area. Get a twitter account (our is www.twitter.com/sgvierecruiting) and let’s have your take on games on Friday night. And don’t forget to give us the score. Man – back in the day…we would designate one guy at the sports desk who would answer the phones from fans who wanted to know the scores of other games in the area. Times have changed…no question about it. Oh and one more thing…I my goal is to get to 100 followers at kickoff on Thursday night. Make sure that you visit us on Twitter and follow us. I want to pass Robledo … it’s just a competitive thing. One more thing, I can use twitter from my phone now. How sweet is that?

10) I think we all need to have more fun this year. This is a great game and let’s enjoy some of the finest that the area has to offer. It’s going to be a fun year – let’s all enjoy it with great banter and great energy. It’s time for kickoff everyone…let’s go!!!!!

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